Let’s talk about something we don’t always say out loud—being overwhelmed.
It’s that feeling when you’re pulled in ten different directions, yet somehow expected to hold it all together. You wake up already tired. You go to bed still thinking about everything you didn’t get done. People see your strength, but they don’t always see your tears.
You might be the caretaker. The professional. The mother. The wife. The leader. The one folks depend on to be “okay” even when you’re unraveling inside.
And it’s not that you’re ungrateful. You love your family. You’re grateful for your job. You care deeply. But at times, the expectations feel crushing. The never-ending to-do lists, the emotional labor, the mental checklists—it’s a lot.
So what do you do when your soul feels heavy, and your spirit is running on empty?
Here are three supportive strategies to help you find peace, purpose, and rest—even when life is demanding more than you feel like you have to give.
1. Set Boundaries Without Guilt
Many of us grew up believing that love means giving until it hurts. But the truth is: giving without boundaries isn’t love—it’s self-neglect.
You were never meant to say yes to everything. You were never created to be all things to all people. There’s strength in setting limits, and there’s peace in saying, “Not today.”
Boundaries are not walls to keep people out—they are fences with gates. They tell others what’s okay and what’s not okay when it comes to your time, your energy, and your space. When you set healthy boundaries, you protect your peace and preserve your purpose.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Your heart is precious. Your energy is not unlimited. And your soul deserves care. Setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s sacred.
2. Delegate and Let Others Help
If you’ve been wearing the cape for too long, let me gently tell you: it’s time to take it off.
You don’t have to be the superhero in everyone’s story. You don’t have to manage it all alone. Whether it’s your household, your job, your family responsibilities, or even church obligations—delegating is a gift to yourself and those around you.
God didn’t create you to carry every burden by yourself. From the beginning, we were made for community. You may think, “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done right.” But perfection is not the goal—peace is. Growth is. Breathing is.
Let the laundry wait. Let the coworker step up. Let the spouse share the load. Let the kids learn responsibility. You are not failing when you ask for help—you are walking in wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says:
“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
You were not meant to walk this path alone. Accept the hand that reaches out. Trust someone else to show up for you the way you’ve shown up for them.
3. Make Rest a Priority, Not a Privilege
Somewhere along the way, we started believing that rest is a reward for being productive. That we have to earn it. That we’re only allowed to rest when everything is done and everyone is satisfied.
But that’s a lie. And it’s costing us our health, our peace, and our joy.
Rest is not a luxury. Rest is holy. Even God rested.
You need time to breathe. You need space to think. You need moments to sit in silence, to reconnect with yourself, and to feel God’s presence without rushing. Rest is not just physical—it’s emotional and spiritual, too.
And let me be honest—some of the exhaustion we feel isn’t just about how busy we are, it’s about how disconnected we are from our source. When we return to God, when we get still long enough to hear His voice, something beautiful happens. The noise quiets. The weight lifts. The breath returns.
Matthew 11:28 gives us this promise:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
You don’t have to keep running on empty. Rest is your right. And you are still worthy, even when you’re still.
A Final Word from One Woman to Another
It’s okay to not have it all together.
It’s okay to not return every call, reply to every message, or fix every problem. It’s okay to cry, to take a break, to let someone else handle it. You are not weak—you are human. You are not failing—you’re being honest.
God didn’t call you to perfection. He called you to peace. He didn’t ask you to carry every burden—He asked you to cast it. And He’s not judging you for being tired. He’s inviting you to come and rest.
So take that breath. Take that break. Say that no. Ask for help. You’re still enough. You’re still valuable. You’re still deeply loved.
And even when it feels like too much—God is your more than enough.
Let’s Reflect:
- Where do I need to set a boundary in my life right now?
- Who can I ask for help, even if it feels uncomfortable?
- When was the last time I rested without guilt?
If this spoke to your heart, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with another woman who’s been holding too much. Let’s remind each other: we were never meant to carry the weight alone.
With Love & Support,
Dr. Monica
#love2life
Helping us love ourselves to life, even when life feels heavy.